NHTSA Complaint #11051405 — 2007 ACURA TL

PASSENGER DASH ABOVE AIRBAG, IS CRACKED. THE CRACK BEGAN AS A SINGLE PERFORATION, COMING FROM THE WINDSHIELD DIRECTION OUTWARD, DIRECTLY ABOVE WHERE THE AIRBAG IS HOUSED. ONE DAY TO THE NEXT IT JUST APPEARED. IT BEGAN WITH A SINGLE CRACK IN JULY 2017, NOW IN NOV 2017, AN IDENTICAL CRACK LAYS ADJACENT TO THE FIRST, APPROX. 6 INCHES APART. I USE A SUNSHADE WHENEVER I'M NOT UTILIZING A COVERED PARKING SPOT. I'VE NEVER LEFT MY CAR WITHOUT A SHADE DURING ANY HOT DAYS (LEATHER SEATS GET FAR TOO HOT TO SIT ON EVEN WEARING PANTS, LET ALONG SHORTS OR SKIRTS). I'VE TAKEN MY VEHICLE INTO 2 DIFFERENT ACURA DEALERSHIPS, WHO'VE QUOTED $2,000+ TO REPLACE, WITH ZERO HELP FROM ACURA SINCE THERE'S NOT AN ACTIVE RECALL. I'VE HAD TO RESTRICT ALL PASSENGERS TO SIT IN MY BACK SEAT, WHICH ACCORDING TO MY GRANDMOTHER, "IS DISRESPECTFUL & DEMEANING". THE PERFORATIONS ARE LOOKING MORE LIKE THE SEALANT USED TO CLOSE A HIDDEN COMPARTMENT (AIRBAG?) HAS WORN OUT, AND THE AIRBAG IS CLOSE TO EXPLODING. I PLANNED TO UPGRADE TO AN ACURA SUV LAST MONTH, BUT IT APPEARS I'M NOW FORCED TO RESELL TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR $2000-$3000 LESS THAN THE 2 FAILED DEALS DUE TO VALID CONCERNS. I JUST CAN'T PHANTOM HOW ACURA REFUSES TO RECALL AN OBVIOUS DEFECT IN THEIR WORKMANSHIP THAT PUTS SO MANY OF THEIR OWN CUSTOMERS LIVES AT RISK. SO MANY COMPLAINTS OF THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM, BUT THE COSTLY REMEDY REMAINS MY PROBLEM TO PAY FOR 1 WAY OR ANOTHER?! WITH THE RAPID RATE AT WHICH THESE CRACKS ARE GROWING AND THREATENING THE INTEGRITY OF WHAT'S SUPPOSE TO BE A SAFETY DEVICE, I MAY NOT HAVE A CHOICE OF HOW TO HANDLE THIS SOON. I CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX IT AND EATING IT BY TRADING IT IN ISN'T SOMETHING I CAN AFFORD EITHER.